Since the USA tariffs went into effect (about a year and a half), it has been one of the worst times in history to game, at least in the USA. And that is being felt in some other markets too with AI and such also raising prices and general corporate greed continuing.
It's just going to get worse. Even if it takes until 2029 or 2030 to launch, very little chance PS6 is under $900. And realistically it will be $1000 or more.
Switch 2 is surely getting another price increase in the USA and maybe some other regions even after the upcoming one.
PS5 might go up again, maybe even Xbox Series despite its meager hardware units sold in the past few years.
I think it's going to take until the early to mid 2030s for another golden or silver age of gaming to begin if it ever does. Despite what faults were in the industry, I think pre-COVID pandemic gaming was in one of those golden ages, or at least a silver age.
For a bit there after the height of the pandemic we were starting to get into another silver age until 2025 hit.
There is a massive amount of quality titles past and present to play. The problem is hardware and PC prices.
Lifetime Sales Predictions
Switch: 159 million (was 73 million, then 96 million, then 113 million, then 125 million, then 144 million, then 151 million, then 156 million, then 161 million)
PS5: 116 million (was 105 million, then 115 million, then 122 million)
Xbox Series X/S: 38 million (was 60 million, then 67 million, then 57 million. then 48 million. then 40 million)
Switch 2: 120 million (was 116 million)
PS4: 120 mil (was 100 then 130 million, then 122 million) Xbox One: 51 mil (was 50 then 55 mil)
3DS: 75.5 mil (was 73, then 77 million)
"Let go your earthly tether, enter the void, empty and become wind." - Guru Laghima
